BTW Family Newsletter

Dear Booker T. Washington Elementary Families,

As we enter the final stretch of the school year, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks for your continued support and partnership. It has been an incredible year of learning, growth, and resilience, and we are so proud of everything our students and staff have accomplished together. This is a very important time of year for our students. In grades 3–5, students are engaged in SOL testing, while students in grades K–2 are completing important one-on-one assessments in reading and math. These assessments help us understand each child’s progress and guide instruction moving forward. Many of these activities require a quiet and focused environment, so your support is especially appreciated as we work to give each student the best possible opportunity to succeed.

To help us finish the year strong, we kindly ask for your continued support with the following:

• Ensure your child arrives to school on time each day. Consistent attendance and punctuality are key to a successful finish.

• Avoid early pick-ups unless absolutely necessary.

• Help your child get plenty of rest each night. A good night's sleep makes a big difference!

We also have several exciting events planned as we celebrate the end of the school year:

🎉 Field Day – Students will enjoy a fun-filled day of outdoor games and activities on May 30th! Field Day is for BTW students only.Please see the flyer below for more information and to sign up as a volunteer.

🎓 Promotion and Awards Ceremonies – We’ll be recognizing our students’ hard work and achievements during the week of June 2nd.Dates and times for each grade-level celebration are listed in the flyer below.

📄 Final Report Cards –Report cards will be sent home with students on the last day of school, June 6, 2025, so please be sure to check your child’s backpack.

📚 Library Book Returns – Please help your child return all library books by May 23, 2025 so we can prepare for the next school year.

👕 Student Dress Code Reminder – As the weather gets warmer, we ask families to please review the Suffolk Public Schools dress code to ensure all students are dressed appropriately for school.

Thank you for being an essential part of our Booker T. Washington family. We look forward to ending the year on a high note with fun, celebrations, and continued academic success. Let’s finish strong—together!

Warmly,
Dr. Bernette D. Brock
Principal, Booker T. Washington Elementary School

Always Remain Optimistic! It's a New Day!

Wednesday, May 7, 2025 - Reading SOL (Grades 3-5)

Friday, May 9, 2025 - Progress Reports Issued through HAC

Wednesday, May 14, 2025 - Math SOL (Grades 3-5)

Wednesday, May 21, 2025 - VA Studies & Science SOL (Grades 4-5)

Friday, May 23, 2025 - No School

Monday, May 26, 2025 - No School (Memorial Day Holiday)

Thursday, May 29,2025 - Early Start @ 10 a.m.

Friday, May 30, 2025 - Student Chromebooks Collected (Grades K-4)

Friday, May 30, 2025 - Field Day for Students

Monday, June 2, 2025 - K Awards (10 am) & 1st Gr. Awards (2 pm)

Tuesday, June 3, 2025 - 2nd Gr. Awards (10 am); 3rd Gr. (2 pm)

Wednesday, June 4, 2025 -4th Gr. Awards (10 am) & 5th Gr. (2 pm)

Thursday, June 5, 2025 - Early Dismissal

Friday, June 6, 2025 - Early Dismissal/Last Day of School

Early Dismissal

On Early Dismissal Days Car Riders are dismissed at 1:05 p.m.

🎉 Field Day Volunteers Needed!

Our 2025 Field Day is quickly approaching, and we need your help to make it a fun and successful event for our students! Please note: Field Day is for Booker T. Washington Elementary students and approved volunteers only. All volunteers must be assigned to and work a station. If you’re interested in volunteering, please complete the following steps by May 22, 2025:

1. Submit your availability by clicking [HERE].

2. Complete the SPS Volunteer Connect form linked [HERE].

3. Contact the school office to confirm your participation.

Your time and support are what make days like this possible—and memorable—for our students. Thank you for being a part of the fun!

Final report cards will be sent home with students on the last day of school. We understand that some students may not attend on the last day—no worries! Report cards can be picked up from the school during the summer, Monday through Thursday between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Please call ahead before coming to ensure someone is available to assist you.

Families can also access final report cards through the Home Access Center (HAC) if they prefer a digital copy.

As we approach the end of the school year, we want to thank all the families who joined us for lunch throughout the year. Due to upcoming testing and end-of-year events, parent lunch visits have now concluded for the remainder of the school year. We appreciate your understanding and continued support as we finish the year strong!

Please make sure your address, phone number, and email address are up to date with the school office. Important information and communication for the 2025–2026 school year will be shared using the contact details currently on file in our school database. If you are updating your address, you must provide proof of residency, such as a current utility bill. Thank you for helping us stay connected!

Attendance

Attendance is an important part of your child's academic success! Both excused and unexcused absences affect academic progress and state reporting/accreditation status. Please keep students in school as much as possible. We want your child to be successful and our school to remain Fully Accredited! When students are absent from school, a parent/guardian must send a signed note including: the reason and date(s) of the absence, the student's full name, the teacher, and grade or use the following google form link to directly submit documentation: BTW ATTENDANCE

Truancy

The Virginia Department of Education has implemented the monitoring of absences whether excused or unexcused. School Board policy states that elementary students who miss in excess of twenty (20) unexcused days a year may be retained. Schools are also required by §22.1-258 to refer students to truancy court after the student accumulates ten (10) unexcused absences. The court determines consequences on a case by case basis which could result in detaining the student or parent or removal of the child from the home.

Please remember to bring your photo I.D. whenever you come to the school for any reason. Thank you for helping us keep BTW safe!

Help us show appreciation to our staff and give incentives to our students!

To Donate Contact: Stephanie Wilkins or Kimberly Smith

stephaniewilkins@spsk12.net - kimberlysmith@spsk12.net

Below is a list of suggested snacks that parents may bring for classroom celebrations and school parties:

Fresh Fruit

Special K Red Berry Bars

Frozen Yogurt

Quaker Rice Crisps

Baked Cheetos

Oven Baked Potato Chips (Frito Lay)

Raisins

Wheat Thin (Nabisco)

See the Amazon Healthier Generation Smart Snacks online store for additional items such as:

Pepperidge Farm, 100 calories Whole Grain Cheddar Goldfish

Doritos, Reduced Fat

Nutri-grain Cereal Bars- Mixed Berry

Honey Maid, Teddy Grahams

Cheetos, Cheese Puffs Reduced Fat

Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Treats Whole Grain

General Mills, Simply Chex Snack Mix

Cheetos, Fantastix Flamin Hot

More details on SPS policy linked here.

• Student drop-off time is 9:00 a.m.

• Parent drop will be at Door #15 beginning at 9:00AM and ending promptly at 9:25 A.M.

• Parents are asked to remain in their vehicle.
  
• Please do not pass cars or double park, forcing students to walk in traffic.
• Please follow the direction of the car rider staff.

• Please have students exit the car nearest the sidewalk (passenger side).

• Any students dropped off after 9:25 a.m. will need to be escorted to the main entrance by a parent.

Student Pick up

• Everyday Student Pick Up - 3:45 - 4:00 p.m.

• Your 2024-2025 Tag must be visible until your child is in the car with you.
• Please ensure the corresponding smaller car rider tag number is on the student’s backpack.
• Parents must be prepared to show their driver’s license for identification.
• Only individuals on the car rider registration form will be allowed to pick up the student.
• Please do not walk up to staff on duty to call for students.
• Students will not be allowed to switch back and forth between the bus and car rider programs.
• Those arriving after 4PM may need to enter through the front entrance and sign their student out from the front kiosk.